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Muslims seek transparent democratic process

By Sulaimon Salau
04 May 2018   |   3:00 am
Nigerian political elite have been urged to move away from money politics, which has been identified as a major hindrance to a progressive democracy in Nigeria. Stakeholders and Muslim scholars that spoke at the second national convention of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), however enjoined all lovers of peace, stakeholders in Nigeria project and…

Chairman, Lagos NUJ, Dr. Qasim Akinreti (left); Dr. Kadir Olufemi Hamzat; Emir of Jiwa, Dr. Idris Musa; MMPN National President, Abdurrahman Balogun; Prof. Taofiq AbdulAzeez; and Imam AbdulAzeez Abd-Rasheed (right) during the 2nd National Convention of MMPN<br />in Abuja.

Nigerian political elite have been urged to move away from money politics, which has been identified as a major hindrance to a progressive democracy in Nigeria.

Stakeholders and Muslim scholars that spoke at the second national convention of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), however enjoined all lovers of peace, stakeholders in Nigeria project and media practitioners to ensure justice, fairness, and mutual understanding.

Among the speakers is a Professor at the Department of English, University of Abuja, Taofiq Adesina AbdulAzeez, who said a private bill vigorously pursued by the media on demonetisation of democracy might apply necessary pressure to ensure a success.

He stressed the need to educate the politicians, the masses and the youth about the cyclical evils of hatred, corruption and violent crimes that have become the necessary ingredients and concomitant culture and electioneering activities in Nigeria.

He said: “We should all work towards promotion of our cultural values of truth, hard work, pedigree and integrity to facilitate valued and informed choice of politicians seeking political offices and moderation of the pecuniary induced success of criminals in our legislative chambers and executive offices,”

AbdulAzeez said the media associations should be transformed into pressure groups to demand good governance and assist the masses to make informed choice through gate keeping and agenda setting of what concerns evil people in the society.

However, the communiqué jointly signed by the President, MMPN, AbdurRahman Balogun and Secretary to the Convention, Hakeem Adebumiti, stated as the 2019 election draws nearer, there should be no bloodletting, killing and maiming because of power as power comes from Allah.

MMPN, in the communiqué yesterday, condemned the renewed killings in some part of the country, and urged the Federal Government to get to the root cause of the ugly development.

The group reminded those who enjoyed killings others in the name of religion that, “there is no compulsion in religion as Islam was not spread with force, bombs or killings but with wisdom and good character.”

It stated that the media practitioners equally have watchdog role to play in the society, hence the media must advice, guide and inform members of the public correctly, accurately and timely on issues of public interest.

MMPN however congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on his conferment with the title of Grand Patron of the group.

The MMPN urged Nigerian Muslims to always come up with Islamic programmes on the media before, during and after the holy month of Ramadan.

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